Early Childhood and Camp Inclusion Specialist

Summary

The Inclusion Specialist is responsible for supporting the needs of teachers, parents and children with special needs in the preschool and for supervising and implementing the Camp Chaverim summer camp inclusion program. The Inclusion Specialist works in collaboration with the early childhood and youth and camp staff to ensure that our programs can effectively meet the needs of children with a variety of developmental and other physical disabilities. The Inclusion Specialist is responsible for coordinating assessment of children’s unique needs, developing inclusive approaches for the classroom and communicating with families, providing training and coaching for teachers and camp counselors, and providing recommendations for additional resources that can be accessed by staff and families. The Inclusion Specialist will model behaviors that support the dignity of and respect for each child’s unique needs and circumstances.

Essential Responsibilities - Preschool

• Work with ECE teachers to observe classroom dynamics and understand the unique needs of young children exhibiting atypical development and/or behaviors.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop and coordinate plans for supportive classroom environments and determine the need for assessment.
• Coordinate a team approach to best meet the needs of each child, and effectively communicate with teachers, administrative staff, parents, therapists and other professionals. Keep records pertaining to practitioners working with children in the classrooms.
• Provide training and support for teachers to help in working successfully with children with special needs or acute behavioral needs.
• Attend supervisory conferences, staff meetings and in-service training programs as required.
• Manage and coordinate referrals to outside professional resources.
• Develop and assist with specific interventions (behavioral, emotional, and sensory).

Additional Functions -Preschool

• Purchase materials, books and special equipment for the Inclusion programs.
• Gather and distribute resources for the staff related to inclusion and special needs
• Maintain up to date records, children’s files and data. Prepare and submit reports as required and in a timely manner.
• Provide ongoing training and support to ECE teachers.
• Assist in grant writing, data collection, and pursuit of funding opportunities as needed.
• Maintain ongoing contact with specialists and community agencies serving children in our program.
• Network with various local, state, and national agencies to stay current on relevant resources and trends in the field.
• Interact positively with all clientele, board members and staff at all times.
• Maintain and support all preschool policies. Provide friendly, courteous and helpful customer service.
• Develop a positive work relationship with coworkers.
• Follow JSV personnel policies as stated in the employee handbooks.
• Perform special projects and other related duties as required by management and as business dictates.

Essential Functions - Camp Chaverim

• Act as an advocate for youth in Camp Chaverim by talking with families and all campers about inclusive environments
• Camp Chaverim Management and Oversight:
  • Collaborate with Youth & Camp Director to hire and supervise Chaverim Coordinator
  • Develop training for inclusion counselors and inclusion training for general camp staff.
  • Provide ongoing training for Inclusion Camp Counselors and Camp Staff as needed.
  • Adhere to and be knowledgeable of ACA (American Camp Association) standards and compliance.
  • Assist Youth & Camp Director in carrying out all policies and procedures of JSV, the APJCC and the ACA.

Qualifications

• Available to work non–traditional business hours; may require some evening and weekend work.
• A minimum of an undergraduate degree in Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation, Special Education or related field.
• Experience in a preschool or day camp setting preferred.
• Demonstrated good character, integrity, professionalism, and trust with confidential information.
• Must have enthusiasm, be adaptable, dependable, and possess an excellent work ethic.
• Must be articulate and possess excellent customer service skills, as well as communication skills both orally and written.
• Must proficient computer skills. (Word, Excel and Publisher)
• Must possess basic office skills.
• Valid CPR/AED and first aid certifications preferred.
• Knowledge in Jewish programming is a plus.
• Must possess a valid Driver License

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Fitness Center/Community Center and both indoor and outdoor environment
• Ability to lift and carry children as needed.
• Ability to help children change clothes as needed.
• Ability to work within a flexible and on-demand work schedule.
• Ability to stand, sit, lift, bend, twist
• Work with children of all ages

This position is contingent upon completion and clearance of a background fingerprint assessment and compliance with California State Licensing requirements for preschool personnel.

The working conditions described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the work environment can be noisy and you may be working in close proximity with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as phones, computers and printers.

JSV/APJCC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Minority/Female/Veteran/Disability

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and, when possible, to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the APJCC and its employees.